Pre-reading
questions: Choose the option that you think is true and then read the text to
find out if you were right.

1. What "drops" at midnight in Times Square?

a. a ball

b. a clock

2.Where in The USA is the biggest New Year's Eve party?

a. New York

b. Los Angeles

3.Where do temple bells ring 108 times?

a. China

b. Japan

4.Countries around the world celebrate New Year's Eve

a. In the same way

b. In different ways

5.Where is there a famous celebration with fireworks on the beach?

a. In Cuba

b. In Brazil

6. Where is the celebration called Réveillon?

a. In France

b. In Australia

7.What are New Year’s resolutions?

a.Reflections on the year that
is ending.

b.Goals to carry out in the
following twelve months

8.What food is associated with money and eaten in many countries on this
day to bring good luck?

a.Beans

b.Cherries

Reading

New Year's Eve, also called Old Year's Night, is celebrated on
December 31st, the final day of the year. It is celebrated all over the world
with parties and social gathering with usually a lot of fireworks and noise.

In the United States of America, New York is the place where this
celebration is associated with. People gather in the Times Square just before
midnight in the last minute of the countdown to see the "ball
dropping".

The celebration is also associated with parties in other parts of the
world. In France, for instance, the celebration is called le Réveillon.
People also to the Eiffel Tower in Paris to see fireworks display. In Japan,
people traditionally clean their home. Buddhist temple bells are rung 108
times at midnight. In Brazil, the beach of Copacabana is considered by many
to be the place of the most beautiful fireworks show in the world.

Certain foods are eaten on this day in different parts of the world.
However a common practice is to eat beans to bring good luck and good fortune
for the upcoming year. They are considered lucky, because of the similar shape
with coins.

December is also the month when we look back at the year that was and
reflect. On New Year's Eve, some people commit themselves with resolutions or
goals to carry out in the following twelve months. Such as eat more
healthily, do more exercise, or learn something new.